Barcelona were left facing a crisis on Friday when Lionel Messi turned on the club's board, attacking one director Javier Faus as "a person who knows nothing about football".

Normally cautious and undemonstrative in his public declarations, Messi's remarks represent an unprecedented outburst that will load even greater pressure on an increasingly unpopular administration.

Faus had said that he saw no reason why Messi, who he referred to in seemingly dismissive terms as "that señor", should get a pay rise.

Talking to RAC1 radio from Argentina where he is undergoing rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, Messi responded directly.

"Barcelona is the best club in the world and should be represented by the best board members too," Messi said. "Señor Faus is someone who doesn't know anything about football and wants to manage Barcelona like a business, which it is not.

"Besides, I would remind him that neither I nor anyone from my camp has asked for any wage increase and he knows that very well."